Opinion: How the Oil and Gas Industry Can Use Nanotechnology to Become More Sustainable

It is no secret that the oil industry carries a lot of weight when it comes to getting legislation passed in their favor. Historically, the oil and gas industry has been able to tilt political scales to its advantage when it comes to the policies and restrictions of water regulation. This has manifested some industry-influenced weak spots in equal distribution of water and protection policies.

Because of these caveats, despite relentless pursuits by the EPA such as the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act programs, protecting freshwater from oil and gas production activities is vital to ensure that the natural resource of water can last for years to come. The reality is there isn’t enough water for the current growing needs of humanity, which is only exacerbated by the escalating population.

Nanotechnology is the new frontier for exploring the improvement, functional ability and environmental suitability of resources in the oil and gas industry. According to a study by De Gruyter, nanotechnology is considered a game changer in exploiting oil and gas resources and is expected to significantly contribute to the development and evolution of fossil-based energy technologies over the next 30 years. 

There are many ways that nanotechnology is applicable to the oil and gas industry and many resources to which these innovations can apply, but the most dire resource is that of water. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest disparities in the terms of water sustainability in oil and gas, how nanotechnology can help to patch them and how this will evolve the industry for the future.